Pre-Kindergarten (3 & 4)

Pre-K 3 Faculty

Mrs. Gail Noe with teacher's assistant Mrs. Jen Palermo
Mrs. Kelsey Maccarone with teacher's assistant Ms. Jules Romano
Ms. Gina Benson with teacher's assistant Mrs. Gina Polizzotto

Pre-K 4 Faculty

Mrs. Diane Kelly with teacher's assistant Mrs. Christine Riccardi
Ms. Deborah Donato with teacher's assistant Mrs. Simone Melendez
Mrs. Julie Azzarello with teacher's assistant Mrs. Joann Long

Pre-Kindergarten Teacher's Assistant covering both Pre-K 3 and Pre-K 4: Ms. Danielle Kaminski

Pre-K's Special Courses

Art: Mrs. Rosemary Klein (Pre-K 4)
STEM Launch Program: Ms. Teresa Maresca (Pre-K 3 and Pre-K 4)
Music: Mrs. Regina Innocente (Pre-K 4)
Spanish: Ms. Jennifer Jimenez (Pre-K 3 and Pre-K 4)
Movement and Dance: Ms. Loretta O'Hara (Pre-K 3 and Pre-K 4)
Physical Education: Mr. John Liantonio (Pre-K 4)

Pre-K 3 and Pre-K 4

SJHA's Pre-Kindergarten for three- and four-year-old students is a traditional academic setting filled with joy and exploration. We lay the foundation for a lifelong love of learning, all set in a Catholic environment. Our Pre-K students are learning through play and fostering healthy habits. There are three-day, five-day, and extended day programs to fit every family's schedule.

SJHA’s Pre-K is modeled on center-based play, where each center provides a different educational focus that inspires hands-on learning in an organized way. The centers stimulate growth and accelerate social-emotional learning. Students develop fine and gross motor skills and self-help skills that build independence and confidence. We help our students learn how to take care of themselves and each other. Our curriculum and activities uniquely provide them with academic and social readiness for Kindergarten. SJHA's Frog Street Curriculum celebrates the joy of learning while children travel down the road to success.

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SJHA Pre-K Schedule Options

Three full days (Tuesdays/Wednesdays/Thursdays)
Five full days
Morning care and after care programs
After School Club opportunities such as Hilltappers, Pre-K STEM, Woodworking, and more.

All parents have the opportunity to download the mobile app, School Rush, where teachers publish classroom events and messages with pictures on a daily basis.

Student to Teacher and Teacher’s Assistant Ratio

Pre-K 3: 11:1:1
Pre-K 4: 11:1:1

The SJHA Pre-Kindergarten Program lays the foundation for a lifelong love of learning with a focus on providing students with academic and social readiness for Kindergarten.

SJHA Pre-K 3 Program

Transitions from home to school
Develops early literacy skills
Introduces basic math concepts
Instills independence and confidence
Encourages oral communication
Promotes team building through group discussions and activities
Teaches sharing and socialization skills
Monthly visits from New York Public Librarian for story time

Special courses: STEM, S panish, and Movement and Dance

SJHA Pre-K 4 Program

Teaches a progressive curriculum that enhances a Pre-K student's creative thinking, imagination, and problem-solving abilities
Integrates technology in learning including interactive Smartboards
Promotes self-confidence through daily routines and activities
Provides specialized instruction in Art, Movement & Dance, Music, Physical Education, Spanish, and STEM
Ensures a seamless transition from Pre-K to Kindergarten
Monthly visits from New York Public Librarian for story time

SJHA's Soccer Program also has a clinic available at the Pre-K 4 level in Fall and Spring.

Frog Street Curriculum

SJHA Pre-K is very excited to introduce the Frog Street Curriculum. This engaging interactive program celebrates the joy of learning while children travel down the road to success. The learning activities enhance the student's socialization and communication skills. The curriculum also develops academic skills with a focus on Math, Phonics, Early Literacy, and Religion. It also covers Creative Arts, Music and Movement activities. Children will participate in group projects, discussions, and many learning games.

Our Pre-K students learn the alphabet, sounds, and numbers through various types of experiences and we utilize the Letter People Preschool Program. Through all of our curriculum, students will learn to socialize and be a part of the group. They will learn to take turns, and share and work cooperatively together.

The SJHA Pre-Kindergarten Program provides a fun calendar of Special Events that the students both thoroughly enjoy and also learn from. They participate in our school Masses and events and receive invitations to all our Family Association's events like the Book Fair, Plant Sale, Christmas Fair, and more.

For more on applying to SJHA Pre-Kindergarten please visit the Admissions page. Admissions for the 2024-2025 school year are now closed and wait lists are at capacity. Please check back in the Fall for more information on the 2025-2026 school year.

For any questions about the SJHA Pre-Kindergarten Program and application process, please contact Mrs. Eileen Gregor, SJHA Early Childhood Director, at [email protected].

Catch a peak at what's happening at SJHA's Pre-K Program

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